Well completion tool



Aug. 28, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 5, 1954 I IIIIIII) f E6 DANEU/C 50/ SRV [0E 2 MM ,e m u 2 RMD |56 6 I 23 l 2 3 7 5 m I l/Lmw. 6% @62224 M D/nn 4 965 78967 5 fb lll/.Z I 6 266 666.33 3 ..12,

Aug. 28, 1956 J. JOHNSTON ETAL WELL COMPLETION TOOL 2 Sheets-Sheet'l 2Filed Feb. 5, 1954 .llllll llll lllll IIIl DEV/CE United States Patent OWELL COMPLETION TOOL Application February 5, 1954,*Serial No. 408,368

15 Claims. (Cl. 166-128) This invention relates to a well completiontool and more particularly to a tool whereby any of a number ofoperations may be carried out in the well without requiring the removalof the tool from the well. v

In the prior practice it was customary to employ a different tool foreach of the operations of perforating, testing of formation pressureunder either flowing or static conditions, squeeze cementing, acidizing,fracturing the formation by the hydrofrac process, or changing a bottomhole llow bean. Each change of tool required withdrawing the tubingstring from the well, changing the tool, and then reinserting the tubingstring.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide atool wherebyany or all of the above operations may be carried out without removingthe tool from the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well tool having aninner mandrel removable through the tubing string by a wire line wherebythe tool may be converted from one type of well operation to anothermerely by removing the inner mandrel and substituting a differentmandrel of the proper configuration for the operation to be performed.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the followingdescription and illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

yFig. l shows a sectional view of the upper portion of a deviceembodying the principles of my invention.

Fig. 2 shows the lower portion of the tool, certain portions thereofbeing shown in section. n p

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View of a portion of the outer mandrel showing theJ-slot for cooperation with the pin mounted in the housing.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a'modification of the device shown in Fig.1.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of retrieving member for cooperation withthe modification shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, there is disclosed a well tool having ahousing generally indicated at 10, having upper and lower portions 11and 12 threadedly fastened one to the other. An outer mandrel, generallyindicated at 13, is slidably received within the tubular housing 11. Theupper endof the mandrel 13 is threadedly fastened to an upwardly andoutwardly tapered slip cone 14. The upper end of the slip cone isthreadedly engaged with theA lower end of a tubing string indicated 'at15. The upper` end of the upper housing portion 11 is counterbored asshown at 16 to receive therewithin a packing retaining member 17a and anannular rubber packing 17, held in place by a packing nut 18 threadedinto the upper end of the counterbore 16. The lower end of upper housingportion 11 is similarly counterbored, as shown at 21, to receive thereina packing retainer member 23 and an annular rubber packing 22 held inplace by the upper portion ofthe lower housing memberIZ. A plurality ofslips 19 are fastened to the upper end of the packing nut 18 andslidably engage the tapered surface ofthe slip cone 14.

ice

larged portion 24 on the outer surface of the mandrel 13. The length ofthe enlarged portion Ztl of the housing is greater than the enlargedportion 24 of the mandrel to permit a limited longitudinal movement ofthe mandrel with respect to the housing.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the enlarged portion 24 of the mandrel has cutinto the surface thereof a J-shaped slot 25. The housing has a borethrough the wall thereof containing therein a ballv 26, said ball beingretained in said bore by a retaining member 27 threaded into the bore.The retaining member 27 forces the ball to extend -inwardly of the innersurface of the housing into the J-slot 25 in the mandrel, therebyinterconnecting the housing and mandrel for hunted longitudinalmovement. When the ball is in the Vertical portion of the J-slot, andlocking said mandrel and said housing against relative longitudinalmovement, when the mandrel is turned so that the ball is in thehorizontal portion of the J-slot.

Lateral test ports 28 in the outer `mandrel 13 provide communicationbetween the interior and exterior of the mandrel. The test ports 28 arenormally closed by the annular packing sleeve 22 when the mandrel is inits upper position relative to the housing, and are adapted to belowered out of said annular packing 22, when they mandrel is loweredrelative to the housing, at which time fluid from within the housing isallowed to pass from the housing through the ports to within the outermandrel 13.

The lower end of the housing has attached thereto ay through theperforated well screen and the packer as-v sembly, and terminates at itsupper end in an electrical terminal 36 supported by a spider 37 mountedin the tubular sub 29. K

An inner tubular mandrel, generally indicated at 38, comprising an upperportion 39, an intermediate portion 40 and a lower portion 41, isadapted to be detachably secured within the outer tubular mandrel 13.The lower end of the outer tubular mandrel 13 has a portion of reducedinternal diameter adjacent its lower end. Said reduced portion carrieson its inner surface a plurality of O-rings 43 for sealing engagementwith the inner mandrel. The upper end of the inner mandrel has anenlarged head portion and similarly carries a plurality of O-rings 45 insealing engagement with the inner surface of the outer tubular mandrel13.

The means connecting the two mandrels together comprise a plurality oflateral bores 46 through the walls of the inner tubular mandrel, and aplurality of balls 47 mounted one in each of said lateral bores 46. Theballs 48. A spring 53 abuts against the lower surface of the The housinghas an enlarged central bore 20 between l enlarged portion 52 of thelocking member and against the upper end of the intermediate mandrelportion 40 and urges the locking member 51 upwardly toward its lockingposition.

Above the reduced diameter portion 49 the upper member 39 of the innermandrel is provided with a plurality of downwardly facing internalratchet teeth 54. A retrieving member 55, adapted to be lowered by.means of a wire line or the like, has a plurality of depending springfingers 56, each of which has on its lower end a plurality of externalupwardly facing ratchet `teeth 57 whereby when the retrieving member 55is lowered, the spring fingers 56 will enter within the upper end of theinner mandrel and `the ratchet teeth 57 will engage with theratchetteeth 54 and permit the retrieving member .to pull the inner mandrel `upout of the outer mandrel 13 .to the surface. The retrieving member 4hasa depending central latch operating member 158 which is adapted toengage therupper end of the latch locking member 5,1.and depress thesame against the action `of `the spring 553, thus depressing theenlarged portion 52 to Abelow :the location of the balls 47, permittingthe balls .to move inwardly :and disengage fromthe annular groovefi inthe outer mandrel and release `the inner mandrel from the 4outermandrel.

The slower end of the intermediate portion 40`ofthe inner .mandrel 38 iscounterbored as shown `at `59. A choke orifice 61 is inserted in the counterbored ,portion of the mandrel and seats against the Shoulder 60formed by said counterbore. The lower ,portion of the inner mandrel isthreaded into the intermediate portion and the upper surface `thereofabuts against the lowersurfaee of the choke member to retain said chokemember in place. The inner mandrel is provided with a plurality oflateral ports 62 below the choke 4member ,and between the `O-rings 43and 45, `providing communication between the outer portion ofthe`mandrel 38 and a oen-- tral passage 38 therethrough. Passage 38 isclosedat Lits lower and and communicates with the passage through thewell string at its upper end.

Connected to the lower end of the intermediate mandrel 38 is apressurerecording device 63. The pressure recording device 63 may bc anysuitable device designed for the purpose of recording pressures in oilwells. Fixed to the lower end of the pressure recording device is abattery compartment 64 containing a plurality of batteries presseddownwardly by means of a spring 66. The batteries 65 are connected by aconnector 67, insulated from the batterycase by insulation shown at 68,to a terminal 69 which is adapted to engage the terminal 37 on the upperend of the electrical conduit 35 when the mandrel 38 is properly seatedin mandrel 13.

In the modiication shown in Fig. 4, similar parts are given similarreference numerals with the postscript a. In `this modification theupper end of the inner mandrel is of reduced external diameter and has aplurality of grooves in Vits external surface forming downwardly facingratchet teeth 54a for cooperation with `a retrieving member such asshown in Fig. 5. The retrieving mem.- ber shown in Fig. 5 has aplurality of spring fingers 56a, each 'having an inwardly facingshoulder 57a adjacent the lower end thereof. The retrieving member isalso provided with a depending central portion 58a for engagement withthe .upper end of the latch locking member 51a to release the latch balls 47a to permit the removal of the inner mandrelfrom the outermandrel. It will be noted that there is no choke orifice provided inthis modification and that the pressure recorder 63a does not have thebattery chamber and ring mechanism attached to the lower end thereof.The pressure lrecording device '63a may be any suitable device designedfor the purpose of recording pressures in oil wells.

If it is desired to make a flow test or shut-in test of a well having atool such as is described herein already in place in the well, it ismerely necessary to lower a mandrel such as 38a, shown in Fig. 4, toperform the necessary test operations and then the mandrel may again bewithdrawn from the well.

The operation of the device is as follows: The device, with the innermandrel 38 removed, is lowered into the well by means of theitubingstring 15. When the tool has been located in its proper position and thepacker properly set, the inner mandrel 38 is lowered within the string15. When the inner mandrel 38 seats and locks within the outer mandrel13, the terminal 69 .engages the terminal 36 and fires the gunperforator 32 to perforate the walls of the well and permit the well uidto How into the perforated screen 31 through the packer assembly 30 intothe housing 10.

When it is desired to take a flow test, the string 15 is rotated in adirection to place the ball 26 in the vertical portion of the J-slot 25and the string is lowered to lower the outer mandrel relative to thehousing 10 to lower the ports 28 out of the annular packing -ring 22.The lfluid from the housing is thus permitted to fow through ,the ports28 into the central bore of the outer mandrel 13, through the `ports 62in the mandrel 38 into the longitudinal passage 38', through the orice61, and through the well string 15 up to the surface. The pressurerecorder 63, being located below the lower end of the outer mandrel, isexposed to the pressure in the housing 10 .at all times.

When it is desired to record the shut-in or static pressure of theformation, the mandrel 13 is raised `with respect to the housing 10 androtated to place the ball 26 in the horizontal portion of the J-slot 25to lock the mandrel in the upper postion, thereby moving the ports 28 upinto the annular packing ring 22 and shutting off the fluid owtherethrough.`

After the test has been completed, the retrieving mem,- ber 55 islowered down on a Wire line (not shown). The portion 58 of theretrieving member contactsl t-he upper end of the latch locking member51 and releasesthe lock., and .the ratchet teeth `5'7 engage theratchetteeth 54 on the mandrel and the mandrel may be Withdrawn from the wellwithout removing the tool body from the well. ln this condition, withthe `inner mandrel removed, the well can be placed in production, sincethe removal of the inner mandrel leaves an unobstructed central borethroughthe device, or further operations may be carried out by insertinga different inner mandrel having a proper contiguration suited to theoperation desired. For example, a mandrel such as shown in Fig. 4 wouldbe used to make a flow test or shut-in test of the well pressure afterthe well has been put in Production.

While we have kshown the preferred form of our inveng tion, it is to beunderstood that various changes may be made in its construction by thoseskilled in the art Without vdeparting from ithe spirit of the inventionas dened in the appended claims. o

`Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. A well tool'comprising a housing, an outer tubular mandrel slidablyreceivedwithin said housing and adapted to be attached at its upper endto a tubing string, means connecting said outer mandrel and housing forlimited longitudinalzmovernent in either direction relative to eachother, a sleevexed in said housing through which said outer mandrelextends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted to `be closed by saidsleeve when said mandrel is in its upper position relative to saidhousing, an inner tubular mandrel closed at its lower end adapted to beslidably received within said outer mandrel, means `for releasablylocking Isaid inner mandrel within said `outer mandrelfor movementtherewith, and test ports in said inner `mandrel in fluid communicationwith the test ports in said Iouter mandrel.

2. A -well `toolcomprising a housing, an outer Ytubular mandrel slidablyreceived within said housing and adapted to be attached at its` upper.end to a tubing string, means connecting said outer mandrel and housingfor limited longitudinal movement in ei-ther direction relative to eachother, a lsleeve xed in said housing through Vwhich said outer mandrelextends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted to be closed by saidsleeve when said mandrel is in itsfupper position relative to saidhousing, an inner tubular-mandrel closed at `its lower end adapted to bevs lidably received within said outer mandrel, means `for releasablylocking said inner mandrel within said outer mandrel for movementtherewith, 'test ports in said inner mandrel in uid communication withthe test ports in' said outer mandrel, and apressure recorder fixed tothe lower end of said inner mandrel.

3. A well tool comprising a housing, an outer tubular mandrel slidablyreceived within said housing and adapted to be attachedk at its upperend to a tubing string, means connecting said outer mandrel and housingfor limited longitudinal movement 'relative to each other, a sleeve insaid housing through which said outer mandrel extends, test ports insaid outer mandrel adapted to be closed by said sleeve when said mandrelis in its upper position relative to said housing, an inner tubularmandrel closed at its lower end adapted to be slidably received withinsaid outer mandrel, means for releasably locking said inner mandrelwithin said outer mandrel for movement therewith, test ports in saidinner mandrel in uid communication with the tests ports in said outermandrel, and means adapted to be loweredvon` a wire line for releasingsaid locking means and withdrawing said inner mandrel from the well.

4. A well tool comprising a housing, an outer tubular mandrel slidablyreceived within said housing and adapted to be attached at its upper endto a tubing string, means connecting said outer mandrel and housing forlimi-ted longitudinal movement relative to each other, a sleeve in saidhousing through which said outer mandrel extends, test ports vin saidouter mandrel adapted to be closed by said sleeve when said mandrel isin its upper position relative to said housing, an inner tubular mandrelclosed at its lower end adapted to be slidably received within saidouter mandrel, means for releasably locking said inner mandrel withinsaid outer mandrel for movement therewith, test ports in said innermandrelin iiuid communication with the test ports in said outer mandrel,a pressure recorder xed to the lower end of said inner mandrel, andmeans adapted to be lowered on a wire line for releasing said lockingmeans and withdrawing said inner mandrel from the well.

5. A well tool comprising a housing, a packer device fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below saidpacking ydevice, an outer tubular mandrel slidably received within saidhousing and adapted -to be attached at its upper end to a tubing string,means connecting said outer mandrel and housing for limited longitudinalmovement relative to each other, a sleeve in said housing through whichsaid outer mandrel extends, -test ports in said outer mandrel adapted tobe closed by said sleeve when said mandrel is in its upper positionrelative to said housing, an inner tubular mandrel closed at its lowerend adapted to be slidably rreceived within said outer mandrel, meansfor releasably locking said inner mandrel within said outer mandrel forlmovement therewith, and test ports in said inner mandrel inuidcommunication with the test ports in said outer mandrel.

6. A well tool comprising a housing, a packer device fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below saidpacking device, an outer tubular mandrel slidably received within saidhousing and adapted to be attached at its upper end to a tubing string,means connecting said outer mandrel and housing for limited longitudinalmovement relative to each other, a sleeve in said housing through whichsaid outer mandrel extends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted tobe closed by said sleeve when said mandrel is in its upper positionrelative to said housing, an inner tubular mandrel closed at its lowerend adapted to be slidably received within said outer mandrel, means forreleasably locking said inner mandrel within said outer mandrel formovement therewith, test ports in said inner mandrel in fluidcommunication with the test ports in said outer mandrel, and a pressurerecorder fastened to the lower end of said inner mandrel.

7. A well tool comprising a housing, 'packer device' fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below saidpacking device,y an outer tubular mandrel slidably received within saidhousing and adapted to be attached at its upper end to a tubing string,means connecting said outer mandrel and housing for limited longitudinalmovement relative to each other, a sleeve in said housing through whichsaid outer mandrel extends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted tobe closed by said sleeve when said mandrel is in its upper positionrelative to said housing, an inner tubular mandrel closed at its lowerend adapted to be slidably received within said outer mandrel, means forreleasably locking said inner mandrel within said outer mandrel formovement therewith, test ports in said inner mandrel in lluidcommunication with the test ports in said outer mandrel, and meansadapted to be lowered on a vwire line for releasing said locking meansand withdrawing said inner mandrel from the well.

8. A well tool comprising a housing, a packer device fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below saidpacking device,an outer tubular mandrel slidably received within saidhousing and adapted to be attached at its upper end to a tubing string,means connecting said outer mandrel and housing for limited longitudinalmovement relative to each other, a sleeve in said housing through whichsaid outer mandrel extends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted toybe closed by said sleeve when said mandrel is in its upper positionrelative to said housing, an inner tubular mandrel closed at its lowerend adapted to be slidably received within said outer mandrel, means forreleasably locking said inner mandrel within said outer mandrel f formovement therewith, test ports in said inner mandrel in uidcommunication with the test ports in said outer mandrel, a pressurerecorder fastened to the lower end of said inner mandrel, and meansadapted to be lowered on a wire line for releasing said locking meansand withdrawing said inner mandrel from the well.

9. A well tool comprising a housing, a packer device fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below the packerdevice, an electrically operated well perforating gun fastened to thelower end of said perforated screen, an electrical conduit connected tosaid perforating gun and extending upwardly through said screen andpacking device, and having aj terminal at its upper end, an outertubular mandrel slidably received within said housing and adapted to beattached at its upper end to a tubing string, .means connecting saidouter mandrel and housing for limited longitudinal movement relative toeach other, a sleeve in said housing throughwhich said outer mandrelextends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted to be closed by saidsleeve when said mandrel is in its upper position relative to saidhousing, an inner tubular mandrel closed at its lower end adapted to beslidably received within said outer mandrel, means for releasablylocking said inner mandrel within said outer mandrel for movementtherewith, and test ports in said inner mandrel in uid communicationwith the test ports in said outer mandrel.

10. A well toolcomprising a housing, a packer device fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below the packerdevice, an electrically operated well perforating gun fastened to thelower end of said perforated screen, an electrical conduit connected tosaid perforating gun and extending upwardly through said screen andpacking device, an outer tubular mandrel slidably received within saidhousing and adapted to be attached at its upper end to a tubing string,means connecting said outer mandrel and housing for limited longitudinalmovement relative to each other, a sleeve in said housing through whichsaid outer mandrel extends, test ports in said outer mandrel adapted tobe closed by said sleeve when said mandrel is in its upper positionrelative to said housing, an inner tubular mandrel decessi closed atits`1owerf,end.adapted to rvbe siidably .received withinqsaid outerymandrel, Lmeansfforreleasably docking 1l, A well [tool comprisingahousing, an outer tubular mandrel slidablyreceived Within .said housingand adapted to be attached -at `its `upper end to atubing string, meansconnecting said outer mandrel and housing forfli'mite'd longitudinalmovement relative to eachother,

a sleeve in saidhousing through which said outer mant drei extends, testports' in said' outer ,mandrel adapted to be closed yby saidy sleeve:when Asaid mandrel is in Aits upper ,position relative to said housing,pan innerftubular f mandrel closed at its lower end adapted to beyslidably i received withinsaid outer-mandrel, achokeorificein saidinner mandrel, means for releasably locking said innery mandrel withinsaid outer mandrel for movement theret with, and testportsin ysaid inner,mandrel beingn fluid i communication with the test ports insaid outermandrel.y

` 12. A Well toolcomprising a housing, an outer tubular mandrel slidablyreceivedwithin said housing and adapted ce `in :said inner-mandrel,means ffor yreleasablydocking said inner mandrel -twithinzsaid outermandrel Yfor-movement ,therewith land test ,ports ,in said inner mandrelin uid communication with ythe :test ports insaid outer fmandrelf, f f,

p14. A well tnol-` comprising ahousing, a packer fdevice f fastened totheilowerendfpf thehousing, aperforated to be attached at itsk upper endto atubing string, meansy f connecting said outer mandrel and housingfor limited longitudinal kmovement relative `to each other, a sleeve insaidfhousing kthrough which said outer mandrel extends f test 4ports insaid outer mandrel adapted to be closed by "said ysleeve ,wheny saidmandrel is in its upper position relative to said housing, an*inneritubuiar' mandrely closed at its lower endadapted to beslidablyireceived ywithiny saidA outer mandrel, a choke oriee in said`inner mandrel, :means kfor releasably locking saidinneri mankdrel withinsaid outerrnandrelk :fory movementk therewith, f test ports in saidinner mandrel in tluid ,communication 'with the testports in said outermandrel, a pressure kre-V i corder lixedtor the lower kend of said innermandrel, andnieans adapted to be lowered on a wire line for releasingsaid locking means and withdrawing said inner mandrel from the well.

13. A well tool comprising a housing, a packer device fastened to thelower end of the housing, a perforated screen fastened below saidpacking device, an outer tubular mandrel slidably received within saidhousing and adapted to be attached at its upper end to a tubing string,means connecting said `outer mandrel and housing for limitedlongitudinal movement relative to each other, a sleeve n said housingthrough which said outer mandrel extends, test ports in said outermandrel adapted to be closed by said sleeve when said mandrel is in itsupper position relative to said housing, `an inner tubular mandrelclosed at its lower end adapted to be slidably received within saidouter mandrel, a choke orit f screen fastened below saidpacking device,an 'outer tubular mandrel slidably received ,within saidfhousingiandadaptedto be,.-attached ,at its upper ,endto a tubing string,

ymeans connecting said outer mandrel and ,housing for limitedlongitudinal movement relative .to `each other, a sleevein,saidhousirlgthrough,whichsaid outer mandrel extends, :test ,ports rinsaid -outer Ymandrel adapted to be closed `by saidsleevewhensaid-mandrely is in itsvugper f, positionY relative to said housing,`aninner tubular man drelr closed at `its lower-end adapted to beslidably:re

c eived withinfsaid louter mandrel, a chokeorjicefinsaid f innermandrel, ,means forireleasably locking said :inner mandrel1within,saidfrnandrel intuid communication with the test ports y:in saidouter mandrel, a fpressure recorder fastened to the lowery endof saidinnerwmau-drel, and means adaptedvto beloweredon a `wireline forreleasing f said locking :means yand withdrawing said linner mandrelfrom thezwell. f

f 15. A Well `tool `,cornprisingna housing, akgpackerdevice f fastenedto the lower endy `of Vthe housing, a vperforated screen `fastenedybelow the packer device, ,an electrically t 36, operatedgwellyperforating-gun yfastened to the lower'end to' said` perforating1 gunand extending upwardlythrough f saidy screen and packing kdeviceIandyhaving i a terminal at `its upper end, an outer 'tubularmandrelyslidably freceived withintsaidnho/using"and adapted to bek attached f atitsupper end toyatubing string, means connecting said of said,perfo1fated screen, an; electricalconduit connected outer mandrel andzhousing'ifor limited longitudinal movey 'mentqrelative toffeach other,a `sleeve :in said fhousing throughy which saidouter mandrel extends,test ports in i 4 said outer mandrel adapted tol be yclosed by `by saidsleeve when said mandrel is vinvits` upperfposition relative to `saidhousing, an`inner :tubular mandrel closed at its lower end adapted to heslidably received within said outer mandrel, a choke orice in said innermandrel, means for releasablyjloclting vsaid inner `mandrel `within saidouter mandrel for movementtherewith, and test ports in said inner`mandrel in fluid communication with the test ports insaidouterlrnandrel. l

, References `Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,214,155 l Edwards Sept. 10, 1940 2,633,200 Humason Mar. 3l, 19532,667,926 Alexander Feb. 2, 1954

1. A WELL TOOL COMPRISING A HOUSING, AN OUTER TUBULAR MANDREL SLIDABLYRECEIVED WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND ADAPTED TO-BE ATTACHED AT ITS UPPER ENDTO A TUBING STRING, MEANS CONNECTING SAID OUTER MANDREL AND HOUSING FORLIMITED LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT IN EITHER DIRECTION RELATIVE TO EACHOTHER, A SLEEVE FIXED IN SAID HOUSING THROUGH WHICH SAID OUTER MANDRELEXTENDS, TEST PORTS IN SAID OUTER MANDREL ADAPTED TO BE CLOSED BY SAIDSLEEVE WHEN SAID MANDREL IS IN ITS UPPER POSITION RELATIVE TO SAIDHOUSING, AN INNER